SAM MORSHEAD, NICK HOWSON, NICK FRIEND, OWEN RILEY and THOMAS BLOW make their selections for 16-man travelling parties ahead of the formal announcement of the squad on Tuesday...
Let's face it, Sri Lanka is not the place to take slightly fragile seamers ahead of a busy Test summer.
There is absolutely no need, for example, for both Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad to go, and though it would make sense for Mark Wood to continue his rehabilitation, it would not be ideal to flog him at both Galle and Colombo.
Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are more than capable of shouldering much of the seam requirements - with Ben Stokes on hand to deliver reverse swing once the dust has done its job - leaving space for three specialist spinners.
Presuming Jack Leach is over his dreadful winter of illness, he is an automatic selection. As is Dom Bess. If Moeen Ali was ready to make himself available once more, that would round off the set, but that - we understand - is not about to happen.
So, who's left? Matt Parkinson? He was part of the squad in New Zealand, of course. Amar Virdi and Mason Crane received the wisdom of Rangana Herath during a Mumbai training camp before Christmas - could they do the job?
Or, if rumours are right and Sri Lanka are ready to prepare atypical pitches which offer something to the quicks, should you overload the batting instead?
Ed Smith might as well use the apples-in-a-barrel technique.
Batting-wise, Jos Buttler being rested makes absolute sense in T20 World Cup year, and Ben Foakes has all the experience of Sri Lanka (in the country's domestic structure, with England Lions, and as part of the senior squad last time around) to fill in. Jonny Bairstow travels as a replacement, and Keaton Jennings arrives to add another top-order option.
My squad: Root, Anderson, Bairstow, Bess, Crawley, S Curran, Denly, Foakes, Jennings, Leach, Pope, Sibley, Stokes, Woakes, Wood, Parkinson (cut in the event of a 15-man squad)
Will Jos Buttler be in England's squad for Sri Lanka?
What is more important: winning the series or building a squad for the Ashes? England can achieve both, even in sub-continental conditions, if they get their squad right.
The selectors should forget about any injury doubts. There is no need to race James Anderson or Jack Leach back from their separate fitness issues. Mark Wood is not worth risking either. A big summer lies in wait.
Jonny Bairstow could do with proper preparation for the IPL and the Test arena has not been his friend of late. Dropping either Joe Denly or Jos Buttler would be premature but it is clear the gloves should go to Ben Foakes.
The pre-Christmas training camp in Mumbai has provided the selectors with a base from which to pick the rest of the squad from.
Dan Lawrence's ability with the ball should see him hold off batting rival Sam Hain, while Keaton Jennings' record in Asia (400 runs at 44.44) makes his recall a sensible one.
Ensuring the spin-bowling line-up has balance is key. Joe Root and Dom Bess make up the offbreak department, meaning there is little need for Amar Virdi as well. Matt Parkinson and the returning Mason Crane can ably fill the leg-spin berths.
My squad: Root, Bess, Broad, Buttler, Crane, Crawley, Curran, Denly, Foakes, Jennings, Lawrence, Parkinson, Pope, Sibley, Stokes, Woakes
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It’s time to bring Ben Foakes back. Back to where his Test career began with a century on debut. It’s difficult to ignore a talent like Jos Buttler’s even if it hasn’t been burning particularly brightly in the Test arena, but England need to start using their best wicketkeeper. I wouldn’t be against giving Jos two Tests prove himself against the red ball, but that would mean shuffling the pack and playing him as a specialist batsman.
Keaton Jennings, who has two Test hundreds in Asia, travels as a back-up option. Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley have earned the right to keep their opening spots while I would give Joe Denly the series to show the world he can cut it at Test level.
Jofra Archer’s absence makes it tempting to bring James Anderson back into the fold. It is also tempting to urge caution and wrap him in cotton wool for future duals. That said, England’s following Test series doesn’t get going until the start of June.
As with all top-level competitors, Anderson - who has declared himself ready to go - will be determined to travel. I believe a certain level of trust has to be put in the player’s knowledge of their own body. If England’s leading wicket-taker says he is ready to return, and feels that is the most beneficial thing for his future form, I would book him a seat on the plane.
That doesn’t necessarily mean he plays both Tests - neither he or Stuart Broad have had much of an impact in Sri Lanka in the past - but there’s an argument for keeping the core of the squad together.
My squad: Crawey, Sibley, Jennings, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Foakes, Woakes, S Curran, Bess, Wood, Leach, Broad, Anderson
Working on the basis that Moeen Ali will be representing Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League and, as such, unavailable, I don’t think this touring party should differ vastly from the group that finished the series in South Africa.
James Anderson is too invaluable going forward to risk for two Tests in Sri Lanka, where he would either do heaps of donkey work or little work at all.
Saqib Mahmood fancies himself as an option when the ball reverse-swings and a couple of weeks working with Darren Gough in New Zealand has, he acknowledged, upskilled him immensely.
Granted, however, this is not a series that will be won in the pace department. With that in mind, there is no Chris Woakes, whose record in Asia – albeit split across just five Tests – does not warrant displacing Sam Curran, whose foot-holes could become crucial, from the role he has begun to fulfil very effectively.
The Keaton Jennings debate has been well-covered, but I’d certainly be taking him. I’d guess that the success of Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley’s opening stand in South Africa may have somewhat muddied those waters, though.
Jonny Bairstow, scorer of a century in Colombo back in 2018, is given the time to “reset” that he was supposedly handed when left out for the red-ball leg of the trip to New Zealand – only to then be recalled for the subsequent South Africa series.
Ben Foakes returns – man of the series when England whitewashed their upcoming hosts little over a year ago.
My squad: Root, Bess, Broad, Buttler, Crawley, S Curran, Denly, Foakes, Jennings, Leach, Mahmood, Parkinson, Pope, Sibley, Stokes, Wood
Keaton Jennings has been mentioned as a possible inclusion
After winning 3-1 in South Africa, England should not change their top six. Keaton Jennings should be taken as the spare batsman following his exploits during England’s last tour of Sri Lanka, however.
Regarding keepers, it’s time Ben Foakes got a proper chance in the team. Jos Buttler is not the first-class player we believe he is and Jonny Bairstow needs to get back to basics with Yorkshire if he is serious about becoming a Test regular. Ollie Pope can deputise if needed.
England should again employ a three-man spin attack. If Jack Leach fails a fitness test or Moeen Ali chooses to play in the PSL, Amar Virdi or Matt Parkinson should get a chance. England cannot rely on Joe Root and Joe Denly to see them through.
James Anderson should be left at home with Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes leading the seam attack. If England are looking for more pace, they can turn to Mark Wood. Chris Woakes should remain in the squad as back up.
Team: Sibley, Crawley, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Foakes, Moeen, Leach, Bess, Broad, Parkinson, Jennings, Woakes, Virdi, Wood
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